"Trump's Interior Department Shortlist Vexes Employees, Green Groups"

"President-elect Donald Trump's shortlist of candidates to lead the U.S. Department of Interior has employees and environmental advocates fearful of a shift in the agency's direction, from one focused on preserving public lands to one that would open them up to more drilling and mining.

The outcome will have implications for industry access to millions of acres of national parks, reserves and tribal territories stretching from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico and the viability of President Barack Obama's efforts to keep the United States in line with international agreements to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Republican Trump, a New York real estate businessman who has never previously held public office, has leaned toward right-wing loyalists for the Cabinet since winning the Nov. 8 election.

He is considering oil drilling advocates like Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Alaska's former governor Sarah Palin and Lucas Oil co-founder Forrest Lucas to run the Interior Department, media reports and Reuters sources said. Other contenders are several politicians from Western states who favor easier development of public lands."

Valerie Volcovici reports for Reuters November 21, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Transition: Trump's Energy Team Overhauled" (Greenwire)

"Interior: Trump Meets With Potential Secretary Picks" (Greenwire)